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In addition to the acceptance guidelines set forth in Board Policies FIS: 820, FIS: 821, FIS: 823, and FIS: 824, the SMSC also considers the following criteria in determining the suitability of material for acquisition:
The materials present a likely contribution to the documentation and interpretation of the history of the Southern Maryland Region. Materials related to the state of Maryland, as a rule, will not be accepted unless they contain information concerning the Southern Maryland Region that is otherwise not included in the collection or unavailable at another repository, such as the Maryland State Archives.
The materials intentionally fill archival silences, particularly regarding people of color, by amplifying the voices of marginalized communities within the Southern Maryland Region.
The materials demonstrate usefulness for exhibit, research, or education relative to the Mission and Vision of the SMSC and its parent institution.
The materials provide context for current and future historical study, including but not limited to: clear provenance (where materials come from and how they are related to the Southern Maryland Region), clear identification (who are the individual(s) described or depicted in the materials and how they are related to the Southern Maryland Region), and clear contribution to the historical documentation of the Southern Maryland Region.
The materials do not require extensive or costly conservation treatment or pose a possible danger to existing collections due to mold, mildew, dust, pests, fire damage, significant embrittlement, or other harmful contaminants or damage.
The materials are free of unreasonable use restrictions.
The SMSC does not accept known duplicate materials of items already held in the collection, unless the copies currently in the collection are limited in number, are of historical rarity, or are in poor physical condition.